Commitment of Five Villages in Jayapura to Malaria Elimination

MALARIA PERDHAKI–JAYAPURA. Village governments and communities play a crucial role in malaria elimination efforts. Support and involvement at the smallest community level form a strong foundation for safeguarding the environment and public health.

This commitment is demonstrated by five villages in Jayapura Regency that have officially enacted Village Regulations (Peraturan Kampung/Perkam) as an initial gateway toward becoming Malaria-Free Villages. The five villages are Lapua, Meyu, Yakonde, Hanggaiy Hamong, and Nendali.

Head of Lapua Village, Okto Lambe, stated that the village government together with the community fully supports the goal of achieving a Malaria-Free Papua by 2030. The presence of a Village Regulation is considered an important instrument in supporting this target. Moreover, the village is even prepared to allocate budgetary support to ensure the success of malaria elimination in Lapua.

“We do not want the cadres and malaria team to work alone. We mobilize village officials to provide assistance in the field. So far, elimination efforts have been running, but there has indeed been no regulatory support,” said Okto.

Meanwhile, Head of Meyu Village, Matias Demonggreng, explained that village officials and the community were very enthusiastic during the process of drafting the Village Regulation. The regulation is seen as an important support for the development of malaria elimination programs in Meyu Village.

“Going forward, we in Meyu Village are ready to support malaria elimination efforts, as well as those for HIV and TB,” added Matias.

Head of Yakonde Village, Yakub Daimoi, said that the provisions contained in the Village Regulation generally consist of points intended to address community needs, particularly in malaria elimination.

“This is a commitment to respond to the needs of every family because this is very important. It has also become one of Yakonde Village’s priority programs,” Yakub explained.

Head of Hanggaiy Hamong Village, Yuliana Hamong, explained that the rules included in the Village Regulation generally aim to encourage changes in community behavior. She gave an example that the regulation includes provisions regarding cattle grazing by the community.

“In our regulation, we agreed that cattle owned by the community must be kept in pens. This is intended to prevent livestock waste from becoming breeding sites for mosquitoes. We encourage all community members to comply with the existing rules,” Yuliana recounted.

Meanwhile, Head of Nendali Village, Wemfrit Wally, revealed that the Village Regulation will serve as a guideline for the community, cadres, and the malaria elimination team. His party is also ready to provide incentive support.

“This is our commitment in Nendali Village. We are also ready to provide budgetary support as agreed in the Village Regulation, and all of this is in line with existing planning,” Wemfrit explained.

In addition to regulating provisions and steps in malaria elimination efforts, several villages have even expressed their commitment to allocating funds to support the program.